FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

YMCA of the USA Elects U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones to National Board of Directors

CHICAGO, July 1, 2010—YMCA of the USA today announced the appointment of Judge Richard A. Jones to its national Board of Directors. The 28-member board establishes policy and strategic direction for YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the country's 2,687 Ys. Jones is a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Washington in Seattle, Wash.

“It is with immense gratitude that the Y welcomes the Honorable Richard Jones to its Board of Directors,” said Neil Nicoll, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “His leadership, commitment and passion for service will be invaluable to the work Ys do every day to strengthen communities.”

Jones has been a federal judge since 2007. Previously, he served as a King County Superior Court Judge for more than 13 years. During that time he also held the position of faculty member at the National Judicial College and presented at national and international programs on its behalf. Jones has been a board member of the YMCA of Greater Seattle for nearly 20 years. He was the president of the board for two years.

In addition to his work with the Y, Jones participates on several boards and committees, including the Washington State Bar Association’s Washington Leadership Institute, National Center for Courts & Media, Center for Children & Youth Justice. He co-founded the Northwest Minority Job Fair and First Year Minority Clerkship Program. In 2009, the University of Washington School of Law inducted Jones for Honorary Membership into the Washington Chapter of The Order of the Coif.

Jones earned a bachelor’s in public affairs from Seattle University in 1972 and a juris doctor from the University of Washington School of Law in 1975. The University of Washington recently selected Jones as a distinguished alumnus. He currently resides in his hometown of Seattle.

###

About YMCA of the USAYMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation's 2,687 YMCAs, which serve 21 million people each year, including more than 9 million children under the age of 18. YMCAs respond to critical social needs by drawing on their collective strength as one of America's largest nonprofit community service organizations. Through a variety of programs and services focused on the holistic development of children and youth, family strengthening, and health and well-being for all, YMCAs unite men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs have proudly served America's communities for nearly 160 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Visit www.ymca.net to find your local YMCA.